ADRIAN  The first official debate in the 7th District congressional race Tuesday night produced occasional fiery exchanges on health care and Social Security between Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and Democratic state Sen. Mark Schauer.

The candidates also discussed their plans for reducing the nation's dependence on foreign oil and improving the economy during the hour-long forum at Siena Heights University's Francoeur Theatre.

"Our state is hurting, and our nation's economy is in crisis," said Schauer, who is trying to unseat Walberg.

Another debate

The Jackson Citizen Patriot and WILX-TV Channel 10 will host a debate for the 7th District congressional candidates at 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at Jackson Community College. The debate will air on Channel 10 at 7 p.m.

Schauer said he would work to amend trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"There's a clear choice in this election between the same tried-and-failed approach that has gotten us into this mess and the hands-on, getting-results work ethic that I offer."

Walberg criticized Schauer's vote in the state Legislature to increase income and business taxes in 2007  which he called the "largest tax increase in the history of Michigan"  saying the higher taxes are driving businesses away.

The two candidates are running to represent Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Branch and Eaton counties and most of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties.

Schauer said the first-term congressman's plan to fix the nation's Social Security system by creating private accounts would be "devastating."

Walberg said there is no effort at this time to privatize Social Security.

He has said he would support giving future workers the option of putting part of their payroll taxes in personal accounts.

"I have never taken a position to privatize Social Security, and my name is not on any bill to privatize Social Security," Walberg said, noting legislation he sponsored would protect Social Security funds from being used for unrelated measures.

Schauer also criticized Walberg for his vote against expanding provisions in a children's health insurance program.

"There are children who wouldn't qualify under the current guidelines, and Congress wouldn't expand the guidelines," Schauer said of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Walberg had said he voted against the bill because it would provide money to poor adults for health care when the program should be focused on health care for children.

He said the program is helping provide health care for children without insurance.

"We need to tell the truth on that," Walberg said. "(The children's health program) is the law, and it's functioning right now for every state in the union."

Both said they support investing in alternative energy such as solar, wind and nuclear power.

They also touched on their positions on the Iraq war.

Walberg said troop-surge efforts have proven successful and the war needs to be won, while Schauer said he would work with the next president to bring troops home.

It was the second time that day the pair squared off.

They met Tuesday morning in Jackson for a Midtown Association forum with area business owners, where they also highlighted their plans for health-care reform and the economy.

At the morning and evening forums, they discussed their stances on the financial rescue plan that was approved by both the House and Senate last week. Both said they were against the bailout.

When asked if he would take any responsibility for the current state of the economy, Walberg said: "I've done nothing to cause those negative things."

Schauer said he sees Washington as broken, and partisan politics need to be sidelined.

"I want to go to Washington to fight for Michigan, plain and simple," said Schauer, who also touched on his efforts to secure a SmartZone designation for Jackson and connect the city to a commuter rail planned for Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Walberg said he has not voted for a tax increases and would work to foster business growth.

"In order to encourage growth we have to make sure we don't flounder the engine of the economy," Walberg said.